Comparison of the efficacy of American ginseng and Ren Shen (ginseng) : a comprehensive analysis and application guide
- Hongji Medical Group
- Feb 21
- 5 min read
American ginseng, also known as American Ginseng, is scientifically named Panacis Quinquefolii Radix. It is the dried root of Panax quinquefolium L., a plant of the Araliaceae family. The main production areas include Canada and the United States. In recent years, China has also successfully introduced it. American ginseng has a long history of application in China. It was introduced into the Chinese medicine system as early as the Qing Dynasty and was regarded as a precious tonic herb.
Ancient medical books highly praised American ginseng. The Compendium of Materia Medica states: "American ginseng tastes sweet and slightly bitter, is cool in nature, enters the lung and stomach meridians, and can replenish qi and nourish yin, clear away heat and produce body fluids." The New Compendium of Materia Medica also mentions: " American ginseng can replenish the lungs and reduce fire, produce body fluids, and eliminate fatigue. " These ancient books fully affirm the medicinal value and tonic effect of American ginseng.
Botanical Properties of American Ginseng
American ginseng is a perennial herb with no hair on the whole plant. The root is hammer-shaped, cylindrical or conical, 3 to 12 cm long and 0.8 to 2 cm in diameter. The surface is light yellow-brown or yellow-white, with visible transverse annular lines and linear lenticels, as well as fine shallow longitudinal wrinkles and root scars. There are one or several lateral roots in the middle and lower part of the main root, most of which have been broken.
Some have rhizomes (reed heads) at the top, with obvious nodes, and round or semi-circular stem scars (reed bowls) with adventitious root carbuncles or broken. Heavy, solid, not easy to break, flat cross section, light yellow-white, slightly powdery, yellow-brown dotted resin channels can be seen in the cortex, the formation layer rings are brown-yellow, and the main part has slightly radial texture. The smell is slight and unique, and the taste is slightly bitter and sweet.
The difference between American ginseng, Ren Shen (ginseng) and red ginseng
Appearance difference :
American ginseng is hammer-shaped, cylindrical or cone-shaped, and its taproot is cylindrical and long, bell-shaped.
The main root of ginseng is hammer-shaped or cylindrical, with 2 to 3 lateral roots at the bottom and many long and thin hair roots, which often have inconspicuous small wart-like protrusions .
Red ginseng is a product of ginseng that has been steamed. It is reddish brown in color, hard in texture, and has a horny cross-section.
人參 vs 西洋參
Origin :
American ginseng is mainly produced in the United States, Canada, France and other places, and is also known as "American ginseng".
Ginseng is mainly produced in Jilin Province, China and northern South Korea, where it is called Jilin ginseng and Korean ginseng.
Red ginseng is mainly produced in China and South Korea.
Function difference :
The main function of American ginseng is to nourish the lungs and reduce internal heat, nourish the stomach and promote salivation.
The main function of ginseng is to replenish vital energy, invigorate qi and promote the production of body fluids.
Red ginseng tends to boost yang and has a warming and tonic effect.
Difference in flavor :
American ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold in nature, and acts on the lung and stomach meridians.
Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly warm in nature, and acts on the spleen and lung meridians.
Red ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter, warm in nature, and acts on the spleen and lung meridians.
The efficacy and usage of American ginseng and ginseng
There are obvious differences in the effects of American ginseng and ginseng. American ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold in nature. Its main function is to replenish qi and nourish yin, clear away heat and promote the production of body fluids. It is suitable for symptoms such as qi deficiency and yin deficiency, internal heat, cough, asthma, sputum and blood, deficiency heat and fatigue, thirst, dry mouth and throat, etc.
Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly warm in nature. Its main function is to replenish vital energy, invigorate qi and produce body fluid . It is suitable for symptoms such as qi deficiency and ejaculation, spleen qi deficiency, lung qi deficiency, body fluid loss and thirst, restlessness, insomnia and nightmares.
In addition, ginseng tends to boost yang, while American ginseng tends to nourish yin . The two have different emphases in replenishing qi and clearing away heat and promoting body fluid.
American ginseng benefits:
Replenishing Qi and Nourishing Yin : Suitable for patients with Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency, it can enhance physical strength and improve fatigue.
Clears away heat and promotes the production of body fluids : It is suitable for symptoms such as internal heat, cough, asthma, sputum and blood, deficiency heat and fatigue, thirst, dry mouth and throat, etc.
Anti-fatigue : It can improve the body's endurance and resistance and reduce fatigue.
Antioxidant : It has antioxidant effects and can delay cell aging.
Anti-stress : It can improve the body's tolerance to stress conditions, such as resistance to hypoxia and hypothermia.
Regulate blood sugar : It helps regulate blood sugar in patients with diabetes.
The methods of taking American ginseng and ginseng are also different. Common methods of taking American ginseng include decoction, tea, wine or direct consumption. The general recommended daily dosage is 3 to 6 grams , and it is not advisable to take too much. Because American ginseng is cool in nature , it is suitable for taking in spring and summer when the climate is dry, but not in autumn and winter .
Ginseng is often used for making soup, wine, tea or eating directly . The recommended daily dosage is 3 to 9 grams . Ginseng is warm in nature and is suitable for consumption in autumn and winter, especially for people with strong constitutions . In addition, ginseng should not be taken in large quantities for a long time to avoid adverse reactions such as getting angry .
Modern Applications of American Ginseng
In modern medicine, American ginseng has a wide range of applications. It is used to treat a variety of diseases, such as:
Yin deficiency and excessive fire : It is suitable for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, bloody sputum, damage to both Qi and Yin due to febrile disease, fatigue and thirst, lack of body fluid, dry mouth and tongue, intestinal heat and bloody stool caused by Yin deficiency and excessive fire.
Diabetes : American ginseng can regulate blood sugar and has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on diabetic patients.
Cardiovascular disease : American ginseng has antioxidant and anti-stress effects, which can protect the cardiovascular system and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Immune regulation : American ginseng can enhance immunity, improve the body's resistance to fight infection and disease.
Notes
Although American ginseng has many benefits, you should also pay attention to the following when using it:
People who should not take American ginseng: People with cold spleen and stomach, loose stools, women with low libido, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and excessive vaginal discharge should not take American ginseng to avoid further damage to the yang energy and worsening of the condition.
How to take : American ginseng can be boiled in soup, brewed into tea, soaked in wine or eaten directly. The generally recommended daily dosage is 3 to 6 grams, and it is not advisable to overdose.
Seasonality : Spring and summer are drier, so it is more suitable to take American ginseng, but not ginseng or red ginseng. Autumn and winter are more suitable for taking ginseng.
Conclusion
As a precious tonic herb, American ginseng has multiple effects and a wide range of applications. Whether it is the evaluation in ancient medical books or the application in modern medicine, American ginseng has demonstrated its unique value. However, when using American ginseng, you also need to pay attention to its contraindications and methods of use to ensure its safety and effectiveness. I hope that through this article, more people can understand the knowledge of American ginseng and use this precious herb correctly to achieve the purpose of tonic and health preservation.
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